Although the ICC’s decision to exclude Pakistan was on the cards due security concerns, former cricketers felt the isolation will further damage the sport in the country. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: The country’s cricket fraternity including former cricketers and administrators lamented the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision not to award Pakistan hosting rights for any of its events at least until 2023.
The governing body, in its annual conference in London last week, chalked out hosts for their global events from 2015 to 2023 and Pakistan was overlooked for all of its competitions including the qualifying tournaments till 2023.
India was given hosting rights of three major tournaments including the 2016 World Twenty20, the 2021 World Test Championship and the 2023 World Cup.
England will host the 2017 World Test Championship and the 2019 World Cup while the 2020 World Twenty20 will be hosted by Australia.
Suspended PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had bid to host the 2018 World Cup qualifying event but the event was awarded to Bangladesh.
Although the ICC’s decision to exclude Pakistan was on the cards due security concerns, former cricketers felt the isolation will further damage the sport in the country.
“Our cricket is already damaged,” legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas told The Express Tribune. “Our cricketers are not playing in front of the nation and that has affected their professionalism and more isolation will bring further negative repercussions.
“But the ICC cannot do much about this. Our law-and-order situation is not improving much and that, unfortunately, is the ground reality.”
‘Decision unfair’
Another former cricketer and national team coach Mohsin Khan termed the lengthy isolation ‘unfair’.
“It’s a very long time. Pakistan is a major cricket nation with millions of enthusiasts. This game has become a part of our culture,” he said.
“The ICC should have given some options subject to improvement in situation in the next three to four years.
“Our government is working on it and there is hope that the situation will improve in the coming years.
“There is no denying that the current security situation is inappropriate but to isolate the country from any major events for a decade is absolutely unfair.”
Former PCB chief Khalid Mehmood, however, backed the ICC’s decision.
“It’s very unfortunate and sad for Pakistan cricket,” said Mehmood.
“But the ICC has to follow a long-term plan and the current situation in our country gives no hope. The incidents of the attacks on foreigners are not random; they were targeted, which is very dangerous.
“It’s a long process to revive international cricket and it demands long-term planning from our cricket authorities.”
Richardson lauds Test Championship confirmation
Meanwhile, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson was delighted with the confirmation of the World Test Championship.
“The ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales was highly acclaimed and appreciated by all,” he said.
“However, the principle of one pinnacle global event for each of the three formats over a four-year cycle is a good one and, as such, the ICC Board has agreed to replace the Champions Trophy with the ICC World Test Championship.
“Now that the ICC World Test Championship has been confirmed, we’ll work on the playing conditions and qualification criteria, and will submit these to the ICC Board for approval in due course.”
ICC approves 3 new playing conditions
In the recently concluded meeting, the following changes to the ICC Playing Conditions were approved:
TV Umpire review of a no ball on the fall of a wicket can now include waist-high full tosses and bouncers above shoulder height
The formal introduction of a two-step process when the umpire believes the condition of the ball has been changed, but there is no eyewitness to identify which player changed the condition of the ball:
i) Replace the ball and give the captain a first and final warning
ii) Award a five-run penalty to the batting team, replace the ball (with the batsman to choose) and report the captain under the ICC Code of Conduct
Zing wickets (with flashing LEDs in the bails and stumps) are approved for use in ODI and T20 matches, subject to an independent assessment of the technology being received by the ICC.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2013.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (16)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Now days ICC belongs to India with a new full form that is Indian Cricket Council,that is why 3 tournaments are gonna be held in India,Isn't it ridiculous?I think so we just concentrate on bring International cricket back in Pakistan instead of Begging for tournaments.We should negotiate with countries like Kenya,Canada if we want to see some cricket in Pakistan otherwise PCB keep crying and screaming for tournaments.
Invest in football just make 2 well equipped stadiums in Liyari let us practice for 1 Year and bring the toughest teams if they score even a single goal ship me of too a deserted island and let me rot their without food or water!
Well Vectra, Since Cricket is under Hostage by ICC,why not Pakistan may Invest in Football,where at there FIFA Might at-least treat her like Equals,unlike that of ICC.
@khan: Yes, you're right. Cricket is a dying game in the west, and they will have to come back to Pakistan. We will make sure that the game of cricket is alive, even if the players aren't.
@Rashid yes of course why not you are free to leave ICC membership and btw your statement that "PCB should ban both ICC and BCCI with immediate effect" is wrong since you cannot ban them but you are banned by them.
@HS Agree with you. This is atrocious on the part of ICC. I won't be surprised if BCCI hasn't played its hand behind it. PCB should ban both ICC and BCCI with immediate effect.
cricket is a dying game in west countries they have come back to pak
Pakistani people deserve cricket tournaments.However,the security situation is not very good for the games to happen now. Lets hope things improve so that people can enjoy
This is retarded. Might as well ban Pakistan from ICC events. Better yet Pakistan should just walk out. That might put the ICC and the other member states to their knees. I understand that it is difficult to host matches in Pakistan due to security concerns but the ICC should assist the PCB in making neutral venues more profitable for Pakistan. Without home games PCB will face financial loses and the quality of cricket in the country will reach new lows. Either assist Pakistan in enhancing security for teams or make these neutral grounds more profitable. Its depressing to see the ICC's unwillingness to go the extra mile to assist a country which brings millions of fans to the sport.
Pakistani cricket lovers deserve to see their team playing in home advantage atmosphere. Till 2023 means 10 years from now. By that time cricket may not be most loving sport in Pakistan. Something must be done. Pakistan and India should play maximum cricket either in India or at neutral venues. Pakistani talent should be saved and allowed to groom in next ten years.
What were we expecting anyways. We will embarrass ourselves further by hosting international events unless we improve the law and order situation in Pakistan.
This doesn't matter. Once Misbah Ul Haq hits the winning runs of the 2015 World Cup, the ICC will automatically schedule all upcoming tournaments in Pakistan. I have been saying this since I played in the streets alongside chaiwalas and whatnot.
Its unfortunate for Pakistan but given the current situation one can't help it.
Fair decision by the ICC. As of today, three blasts have already rocked our country with over fifty killed. Target killing is on the rise. Terrorists have been offered tickets to be part of the assembly. Foreigners are being killed in the Northern areas. Yes, people might argue that this is a part of a huge international conspiracy, but it is us who have allowed these elements to thrive right under our noses. Therefore we must suffer the consequences. As as individual when I myself do not feel safe while stepping out of my house, how can a foreigner feel safe. We must mend our ways before even thinking of hosting a home series let alone a major ICC Tournament.